Bathtub safety apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bathtub safety apparatus particularly useful for helping a user to get into and out of a bathtub safely. The apparatus providing a hand hold that reduces the chances of accidental slips and falls. The hand hold made of a braided chain of rope that is suspended from the ceiling. This braided chain of rope being detachable from the ceiling for washing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to safety devices, and morespecifically relates to a suspended bathroom safety device for graspingby a user when getting into and out of a bathtub, shower, hot tub, poolor similar device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Quite a few individuals are hurt every single year in bathroom slips andfalls. The acts of getting into or out of a bathtub frequently createsituations that result in a number of these bathroom slips and falls.Oftentimes it is the combination of the user's feet being on a wetsurface (the floor outside the tub and/or the tub bottom) and the act ofthe user lifting at least one of his/her feet up and over the side wallof the tub that leads to a loss of balance and the resulting slip/fall.

Additionally, many of the newer styles of bathtubs are “jetted,” havingwater pumps and air supply means integrally provided for creatingwater/air flow through the tub. Such a jetted tub is frequently referredto as a JACCUZZI or WHIRLPOOL style tub. These jetted tubs typicallycontain more water than a standard tub, in that they are configured forsoaking and relaxation as much as they are configured for bathing. Assuch, the side walls are often considerably higher than a standardbathtub. These higher sidewalls increase the risk of accidental falls inthat the user must lift his/her leg even higher up and over the edge ofthe tub to get in and out than would normally be needed with a standardbathtub.

To address this slip/fall issue, many tubs and bathroom surfaces areprovided with handles. These handles typically being located either onthe wall or built into the tub itself. These handles for allowing theuser to grasp them while making the transition from inside to outsidethe tub and vice versa, thereby helping the user remain balanced.However, most of these handles are configured for structural placement(wherever there is room in the bathroom/tub surface) rather than idealplacement (convenient to grab by the user). Further, oftentimes suchhandles are not ideally configured for helping the user to both lifthis/herself out of the tub as well as providing support as he/she movesfrom inside the tub to standing outside of the tub.

Furthermore, oftentimes individuals with disabilities, bad backs, and ofolder ages often need a little assistance (handhold) when getting intoand out of a bathtub, typically just something to grab a hold of thatthey can pull on as they stand up.

Embodiments of the present invention solve these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a close up detailed view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof havebeen shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the claims.

Referring to the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings andstarting with FIG. 1, shown is a first embodiment of the presentinvention. This figure showing a bathtub safety apparatus 10, thisapparatus particularly useful for helping a user (not shown) to get intoand out of a bathtub 2 or similar structure (shower, hot tub, pool,etc.) safely. The bathtub 2 being shown in a typical bathroom scenehaving a ceiling 4 there above.

Attached or screwed into this ceiling 4, preferably into a ceilingsupport (6 (FIG. 3)) such as a roof truss, rafter, or other structuralmember, is an eye hook 20. The preferred eye hook 20 being a 0.5″×3.25″screw thread eyebolt having a generally circular eye portion and athreaded shank for screwing into a support structure. Being screwed intothe ceiling support 6, this eye hook 20 is able to support the weight ofthe user as the user pulls downwards upon an attached bathroom safetyapparatus 10 while getting into and out of the bathtub.

In this embodiment (FIG. 1) the bathroom safety apparatus 10 alsocomprises a length of rope 30. This length of rope being braided(braided portion 50) along its length, thereby providing the user with asoft yet textured grip to hold. This grip helping a user to liftthemselves upwards (from a reclined position in the bathtub) as well asproviding support to the user as the user gets into and out of thebathtub (helping the user stay balanced).

This length of rope having a first end 32 extending to a second end 34.In the embodiment shown, the first end 32 is doubled over, therebyforming a loop. This loop is then drawn through the eye hook 20 andattached thereto through use of a lanyard hitch (also referred to as agirth hitch, a strap hitch, a cow hitch, or a lark's head). The free endof the first end 32 is then preferably attached to the length of ropethrough use of an eye splice 44.

The resulting connection between the length of rope and the eye hook isthus detachable, in that the lanyard hitch can be loosened and theremainder of the rope fed there through so as to detach it from the eyehook. Such detachability is useful in instances where the user desiresto detach the apparatus from the ceiling to wash it, or would like toremove it for other reasons.

Still referring to FIG. 1, it is preferred that a substantial portion ofthe remainder of the length of the rope 30 be braided through use of achain knot 48 or other knotting. This braiding done to create texture onthe rope, thereby making the rope easier to grip by a user's hands andless likely to slip out of a user's hands than a bare rope. Obviously,while a chain knot is preferred, other styles of knots may likewise beused, including but not limited to overhand knots, figure eight knots,single loops and/or multiple loops.

This chain knot braiding is preferably achieved by twisting the rope toform a loop and then feeding the bight below through the loop to formthe next loop. Then, the rope would again be twisted forming anotherloop, the bight again being fed through this loop to form the next loopand so on. When a sufficient length of braiding is formed, as desired,then an overhand (or other) knot is used to tie off the braid and keepthe braid from unraveling.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show that in a second embodiment a pair of bathtub safetyapparatuses 10, 100 can be provided for maximizing a user's ability toconveniently get in and out of the bathtub regardless of which apparatus10, 100 the user is adjacent. The apparatus is shown having a pair ofbathtub safety apparatuses 10, 100 for helping a user to get into andout of a bathtub or similar structure safely.

The bathtub 2 being shown in a typical bathroom scene having a ceiling 4there above. Attached or screwed into this ceiling, preferably into aceiling support such as a roof truss or other structural member, is apair of eye hooks 20, 120. These eye hooks, being screwed into theceiling support, are able to provide needed support for the user as theuser pulls downwards upon an attached bathroom safety apparatus 10, 100.

In this embodiment (FIGS. 2, 3) the bathroom safety apparatus 10, 100also comprises a pair of lengths of rope 30, 130. These lengths of ropebeing braided (braided portion 50, 150) along their length, therebyproviding a soft yet textured grip for the user to hold. This griphelping a user to lift himself or herself upwards (from a reclinedposition in the bathtub) as well as providing support to the user as theuser gets into and out of the bathtub (helping the user stay balanced).

These lengths of rope 30, 130 having first ends 32, 132 extending tosecond ends 34, 134. In the embodiment shown (FIGS. 2, 3), the firstends 32, 132 are doubled over, thereby forming a pair of loops. The freeends of the first ends 32, 132 are preferably attached to the length ofrope through use of an eye splice 44, 144. These loops are then eachdrawn through the eye hooks and attached thereto through use of alanyard hitch (also referred to as a girth hitch, a strap hitch, a cowhitch, or a lark's head).

The resulting connection between the length of rope and the eye hook isthus detachable, in that the lanyard hitch can be loosened and theremainder of the rope fed there through so as to detach it from the eyehook. Such detachability is useful in instances where the user desiresto detach the apparatus from the ceiling to wash it, or would like toremove it for other reasons.

Still referring to FIGS. 2-3, it is preferred that a substantial portionof the remainder of the length of the ropes 30, 130 be braided throughuse of a chain knot 48, 148 or other knotting. This braiding done tocreate texture on the rope, thereby making the rope easier to grip by auser's hands and less likely to slip out of a user's hands than a barerope. Obviously, while a chain knot is preferred, other styles of knotsmay likewise be used, including but not limited to overhand knots,figure eight knots, single loops and/or multiple loops.

This chain knot braiding is preferably achieved by twisting the rope toform a loop and then feeding the bight below through the loop to formthe next loop. Then, the rope would again be twisted forming anotherloop, the bight again being fed through this loop to form the next loopand so on. When a sufficient length of braiding is formed, as desired,then an overhand (or other) knot is used to tie off the braid and keepthe braid from unraveling.

FIG. 3 shows a close up of the embodiment of FIG. 2. This close upshowing in greater detail the eye hook 20 having a threaded shank 22which is screwed into a ceiling support 6 in the roof 4. This Figurealso shows in greater detail the eye splice 44 that is formed as thesecond end 32 is woven back into the body of the length of rope 30.Likewise, the braided portion 50 is shown comprising a number of chainknots 48.

The preferred rope being spliced deck rope one half inch in diameter andten to fifteen feet in length, being three strand twisted, where eachstrand comprises a bundle of fibers counter-laid to the lay of thestrands, such that opposing portion prevents unraveling. Other similartypes of rope may include braided, braided with straight filament core,and full-diameter straight-filament core encased in a thin woven sheath.The present invention can be used with the preferred rope or any otherform of rope, whether it be of multiple strands or single strand,natural or man-made fibers, etc.

Being a hanging, free swinging, soft rope is beneficial over the priorart (which typically shows handles, poles, ropes with rungs, belts withmetal fasteners, etc.) in that if a user bumps into the device (forinstance when using the bathroom at nighttime, in the dark), the userwill not be hurt by such contact.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment comprises amethod of making a bathtub safety apparatus for providing a handhold fora user getting into and out of a bathtub, said bathtub having a sturdyceiling support extending there-above. The method comprising the stepsof: providing an eyehook having a threaded shank; screwing the threadedshank into the ceiling support; providing a length of rope having afirst end extending to a second end; attaching a portion of the ropeadjacent the first end to the eyehook through use of a lanyard hitch;attaching the first end to the rope through use of an eye-spliceadjacent the first end; braiding, through use of a chain knot, asubstantial portion of the remainder of the length of rope to form abraided portion; and terminating the braided portion in an overhand knotadjacent the second end.

It is further preferred that the method comprise the steps ofpredrilling a hole for the threaded shank to be screwed into; applying abonding agent to the threaded shank before screwing into the hole; andpermitting the bonding agent to set for 24 hours before attaching therope.

It is further preferred that the method comprise the steps of detachingthe rope from the eyehook by undoing the lanyard hitch; washing therope; and reattaching the rope to the eyehook through use of a lanyardhitch.

The purpose of the Abstract is to enable the public, and especially thescientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosureof the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Still other features and advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in this art from the followingdetailed description describing preferred embodiments of the invention,simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carryingout our invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable ofmodification in various obvious respects all without departing from theinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferredembodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not asrestrictive in nature.

While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment ofthe invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention isnot limited thereto, but may be variously embodied to practice withinthe scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, itwill be apparent that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

1. A bathtub safety apparatus for providing a handhold for a usergetting into and out of a bathtub, said bathtub having a sturdy ceilingsupport extending there-above, said bathtub safety apparatus comprising:an eyehook having a threaded shank, said threaded shank screwed intosaid ceiling support; and a length of rope, said length of rope having afirst end extending to a second end, said first end attaching to saideyehook, said length braided to provide a secure handhold surface forsaid user when getting into and out of said bathtub.
 2. The bathtubsafety apparatus of claim 1, wherein said eyehook is a 0.5″×3.25″ screwthread eyebolt.
 3. The bathtub safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidrope is a spliced deck rope one half inch in diameter and ten to fifteenfeet in length.
 4. The bathtub safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidbraiding comprises a number of chain knots terminating in an overhandknot.
 5. The bathtub safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein said length ofrope attaches to said eyehook through use of a lanyard hitch.
 6. Abathtub safety apparatus for providing a handhold for a user gettinginto and out of a bathtub, said bathtub having a sturdy ceiling supportextending there-above, said bathtub safety apparatus comprising: aneyehook having a threaded shank, said threaded shank screwed into saidceiling support; and a length of rope, said length defined by a firstend extending to a second end, wherein the portion of said rope adjacentsaid first end releaseably attaches to said eyehook through use of alanyard hitch, said first end then eye-spliced into the rope's lengthadjacent said first end; a substantial portion of the remainder of saidlength of rope braided through use of a chain knot to form a braidedportion, said braided portion terminating in an overhand knot adjacentsaid second end.
 7. The bathtub safety apparatus of claim 6, whereinsaid eyebolt is a 0.5″×3.25″ screw thread eyebolt.
 8. The bathtub safetyapparatus of claim 6, wherein said rope is a spliced deck rope one halfinch in diameter and ten to fifteen feet in length.
 9. The bathtubsafety apparatus of claim 6, wherein said braiding comprises a number ofchain knots terminating in an overhand knot.
 10. The bathtub safetyapparatus of claim 6, wherein said length of rope attaches to saideyehook through use of a lanyard hitch.
 11. A method of making a bathtubsafety apparatus for providing a handhold for a user getting into andout of a bathtub, said bathtub having a sturdy ceiling support extendingthere-above, said method comprising the steps of: providing an eyehookhaving a threaded shank; screwing said threaded shank into said ceilingsupport; providing a length of rope having a first end extending to asecond end; attaching a portion of said rope adjacent said first end tosaid eyehook through use of a lanyard hitch; attaching said first end tosaid rope through use of an eye-splice adjacent said first end;braiding, through use of a chain knot, a substantial portion of theremainder of said length of rope to form a braided portion; andterminating said braided portion in an overhand knot adjacent saidsecond end.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step ofpredrilling a hole for said threaded shank to be screwed into.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising the step of applying a bondingagent to said threaded shank before screwing into said hole.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: detaching said ropefrom said eyehook by undoing said lanyard hitch; washing said rope; andreattaching said rope to said eyehook by through use of a lanyard hitch.